Writing can be a solitary activity. I made the argument that ‘being a writer’ is awfully hard to do, alone.
If you haven’t found your writing community yet, consider joining ours!
LINKS
Preparing for a Successful StoryADay May 2021
Is this the year you transform yourself into a writer? Thinking about participating in StoryADay May? I have tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes info from the 12th annual StoryADay May. Make sure you’re signed up:
::LINKS::
Sign up for The Writer Code Masterclass
Be A Best Seller Summit with Emma Dhesi – http://stada.me/emma
Reading Room: http://stada.me/read
The WRITER Code 2021 Edition
Do you see structure as freeing or stifling? I talk about that and the upcoming free WRITER Code masterclass (2021 edition) in this week’s show along with a brief flash fiction writing prompt
LINKS
Are you taking the StoryADay May challenge this year? Sign up now:
Writing prompt:
Mind the GAP
There is a danger zone between our aspirations and the moment when our writing practice begins to click. You can navigate it safely if you Mind the GAP.
Also: My ShortLIST for figuring out which courses and events to sign up for in the always-crowded summer of Writing Conferences and Festivals.
It’s an acronym-heavy episode this week, but it’s all here to help you become the writer you know you’re meant to be.
Continue reading “Mind the GAP”Author Websites with Nancy Fields
To engage with your audience there’s no tool quite like an author website. Even if your social media presence is strong, it pays to have your own home on the web, and this week Nancy Fields of Fields Graphic Design is here to talk us through everything from how to set up a site, to what to put on each page.
::LINKS::
Nancy’s site: https://fieldsgraphicdesign.com
Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/wow-taste
Bluehost: Julie’s Referral link (current offer: from $2.95/month)
Engage with Focus
This week I invite you to think about why you do the things you do in your writing life…and how you can make some quick changes that yield big improvements.
::LINKS::
Leave a comment: https://storyaday.org/episode202
Get the 202-episode Podcast Table of Contents: https://storyaday.org/podcastlist
Should You Buy The Next Book/Course Flowchart: https://storyaday.org/shiny-objects/
Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/wow-sound
Do You Really Need Feedback On Your Writing?
One of the first questions people ask me, as new writers, is “how can I get some feedback on my writing”. In this episode I argue that might be the wrong question…
Also: a writing prompt about one of the senses.
::LINKS::
Get the critique group primer: https://stada.me/vulnerable
Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/wow-smell
The Power of Persistence – 200th Episode Celebration
I look back on 200 episodes of this podcast and pull out lessons for every creative person and endeavor.
Plus, a writing prompt with a pep talk.
::LINKS::
Podcast On-Demand Table of Contents – get it now
Craft In the Real World, an Interview with Matthew Salesses
Matthew Salesses is the author of three novels — one written in Flash Fiction — and the writing handbook “Craft In The Real World”. In this episode we talk about writing rules, audience, how to give and receive feedback and what it was like to write a flash fiction novel.
Photo credit: Grace Salesses
198 – The Practice by Seth Godin
When Seth Godin talks about creative work, I listen.
This week I talk about his new book “The Practice” and how we can rethink and build up our own creative practices.
Also: if you’re on the Clubhouse audio social app, you can follow me @julieduffy and join me at 4PM (Eastern US) every day next week for a creativity boost.
Links:
Comment on the questions in this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode198
The Practice at Amazon.com (not an affiliate link): http://stada.me/GodinPractice
This week’s Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/ow-achieve
197 – Your Writing Legacy
In this episode I pay tribute to my writing buddy Tony Conaway; talk about Creative Wills; and organizing your writing archives and processes.
::Links::
Creative Will – http://stada.me/will
Your Organizing Tips – http://stada.me/organize
Tony’s Tips for Revising: http://stada.me/tonyrevision
A Writing Prompt: http://stada.me/tonyprompt
196 – Narrative With Dr. Julie Helmrich
Why the story we tell ourselves is the most important we’ll ever tell…and the impact it has on our ability to manage our inner critic, imposter syndrome and to get our work done.
Dr. Julie Helmrich, psychologist and founder of Iron Psych specializes in change fluency and narrative, and is my guest this week, talking about psychological fitness for writers.
Links:
Dr. Helmrich’s site: https://juliehelmrich.com/
Writing prompt: https://storyaday.org/wow-customs
195 – Bumper Q&A Episode
In which I talk about why we do this thing we do, and answer the top 10 questions I get asked, at StoryADay (including everything from where to put commas, to how to submit stories, to how to overcome imposter syndrome).
Grab a hot beverage and settle in…
Links
Short Story Structure: https://storyaday.org/framework
Imposter Syndrome: https://storyaday.org/imposter-syndrome/
The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
194 – History & Your Story
Humans don’t just experience their lives. We infect each other with shared memories of how it felt to be watching historic events or a baby take their first steps. We transmit meaning through emotion, through story.
Getting good at telling stories isn’t trivial. It isn’t frivolous. And it certainly isn’t selfish…
Links:
193 – Goals or Getting From Here To There
In this episode I look at goals and why it’s so uncomfortable getting from where you are now to where you want to be…and how you can make it happen.
The 4 Steps to Reaching Your Goals
- 1. Set a theme for the year and prioritize 1-3 goals
- 2. Get clear on why they matter to you
- 3. Celebrate every triumph
- 4. Check. in regularly with others
Download the Annual Planning Bundle now
Q&A – Description vs. Dialogue
Also in this episode I answer a question about whether or not it’s bad to write more description than dialogue.
Links::
Get The StoryADay Annual Review Bundle: https://storyaday.org/annualplan
Learn how to P. A. C. E. Yourself https://storyaday.org/episode094
Take the 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
192 How Diverse Is Your Bookcase?
How diverse is your bookcase?
In this week’s #podcast I give you a nudge (and some resources) to read a little more widely.
Plus: a Q&A about how to #write with passion when you’re a cool cat.
Resources:
Mystery & Mayhem Diverse Thrillers for 2020
Roxane Gay’s Gay Mag on Medium
What writers/resources would YOU recommend? Leave a comment:
191 – The Story We Tell Ourselves
Sometimes the story we tell ourselves is as important as anything else we do. What story will you tell yourself in 2021?
Plus: a question, from Becky, about the challenges of moving from non-fiction writing to fiction
Links
190 – Stop Waiting Start Writing
What will it take to get you writing through the next few months? I have some thoughts..
Also: I answer questions about getting through the middle of a project and about conquering procrastination
LINKS
Your Writing Life Series
189 – Have Fun In The Middle of Your Story
I often talk about the middle of a story as ‘the muddy middle’, but I prefer Blake Snyder’s label “fun and games”.
This week I talk about what the middle of your story has to do, why it’s hard, and how you can make it easier.
AND I answer StoryADay-er Jacqui’s question about how to get out of a funk and start writing again.
Resources:
James Scott Bell’s Write Your Novel From The Middle https://amzn.to/2I9liuE
Jessica Brody’s Save The Cat Writes A Novel https://amzn.to/36yixff
Gwen Hayes’s Romancing The Beat https://amzn.to/2UoXnug
LINKS
What do you need to know about the I, WRITER Course?
https://storyaday.org/iwriter
188 – Angela Ackerman & Great Character Writing
In Part 2 of my interview with Angela Ackerman, co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus and host of Writers Helping Writers, we talk about how to use details to write great characters, immerse readers in your story, and even figure out your plot.
Links:
Writers Helping Writers: http://stada.me/whw
One Stop For Writers: http://stada.me/osfw
187 – Angela Ackerman and “Should You NaNoWriMo?”
Angela Ackerman is the co-author of the Emotion Thesaurus range of writing books and the One Stop for Writers site. In this episode I talked to her about creativity and how a big writing challenge might be just the thing you need right now.
Links:
Angela’s post: http://stada.me/angela
One Stop For Writers: http://stada.me/osfw
186 – Shiny Object Syndrome
Should you take part in NaNoWriMo this year? Should you attend that conference or take that class? Should you buy that new writing craft book?
Here’s a process to get you started figuring out whether or not you’re looking at a shiny object or a shiny opportunity.
Links:
185 – Write To Read
Are you writing short stories? Why? And are you reading short stories? Which ones and again: why?
LINKS:
20 Short stories to read that will make you a better writer: http://stada.me/readme
Pushcart prize nominator calls for recommendations: http://stada.me/pushcart20
What are you reading? https://storyaday.org/episode185
184 – What If Writing Felt Inevitable?
So much of our procrastination is powered by mindset, but there’s more to making writing an inevitable part of our lives than simply wishing it was true. I have some suggestions….
LINKS:
Inevitable Writer article: http://stada.me/inev
SWAGr Accountability post: https://stada.me/swagr
3 Day Challenge: http://stada.me/3day
183 – Writing Through The Change of Seasons
September can be a time for reflection and planning ahead. I have some tips on that as well as some interesting reads from around the web.
LINKS
Kate Northrup, Do Less: https://katenorthrup.com/
The Good Place, The Podcast: https://stada.me/GoodPlace
Writer Unboxed Titles article: https://stada.me/wutitles
Romantic Gifts article: https://stada.me/gifts
Srini Rao, Risk Tolerance: https://stada.me/risk
182 – Shaping Dreams
Does it matter if you write? Hell, yes. Let’ s talk about that….
JOURNAL QUESTIONS
1a, How are you when you are writing? (how’s your focus, your mood, your relationships?)
1b, Who does that impact?
2, Whose writing affected you most deeply in your life?
3, Who could your writing be a gift for?
Not ready for a 30 Day Challenge? Try the 3 Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc/
181 – Catching Up With StoryADay September
If you haven’t started writing short stories this month it’s not too late! This week’s podcast is a look back and a look forward at the writing prompts in StoryADay September (from writers like Tobias S. Buckell, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Simon Rich, Grant Faulkner, Art Taylor, and more…).
Plus a short sermon on why you should finish your stories.
Links:
Windy Lynn Harris’s Flash Fiction episode of the podcast: https://storyaday.org/episode166/
180 – Gamify Your Writing
In which I compare writing to whittling, and explain why you’d much rather play Candy Crush than anything you call ‘work’…and how you can use that to make your writing go more smoothly.
Links:
Sign up for daily prompts in September: https://storyaday.org/next-challenge/
Today’s writing prompt from Mary Robinette Kowal:
https://storyaday.org/05-kowal
179 – StoryADay September – Join us?
If you want to discover your best process for writing, you might want to join us for the StoryADay September challenge.
And if you want to keep that progress going all year, consider the Superstars group.
LINKS:
Sign up for prompts this September: http://stada.me/sept20
Find out more about the Superstars: http://stada.me/Super20
178 – A Writing State of Mind
What’s the most important skill in writing? Is it plot, character arcs, dialogue, description, pacing?
In this episode I argue that the thing that will dictate your level of success is your state of mind.
Links:
Eric Platenberg: http://stada.me/eric
Seth Godin: http://stada.me/seth
StoryADay September Sign up: http://stada.me/sept2020
177 – Enjoy Your Writing More
Writing is self-directed, so reaching out for support is essential. It can, however, invite unhelpful comparisons with other writers who have different strengths and who are at different stages.
In this episode I explore the writing life through the lens of Martin Seligman’s Positive Psychology and think about the ways we can celebrate our triumphs at every stage.